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Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
All Grades ILI Activity Period
5/27/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
2008-2009
All Grades ILI Activity Period
5/27/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: 26
ILI Staff: Alice McFarlane and Craig Kerr
Today was our last day for activity periods. Next Wednesday the students will be taking finals, and the following Wednesday there will be no students in the building to work with because school will be out. It has been an incredibly fast year!
We began by asking everyone to sit in a circle and we thanked them for coming and being a part of ILI this year. We told them that we hoped that they had received something from attending. We were going to ask them to fill out an ILI survey, but it was not quite ready in time. Since this was our last meeting we decided to do their favorite two activities to end the ILI activity period year: Jolly Green Giant and Mushroom.
The students enjoy these activities and connect in a way that they cannot in a sedentary classroom. We are thankful for the time that LUHS gives us to work with the students and believe we have used our time well with the students. We will do a survey with the students before the end of the year to see if they feel the same way we do.
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
Junior Activity Period # 17
5/20/09 9:46 – 10:04
LUHS
Junior Activity Period # 17
5/20/09 9:46 – 10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (F) 5, (S) 3, (Jr.) 5
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr, Alice McFarlane, and Ernie St. Germaine
It was a beautiful day outside today and we wanted to take advantage of it. The students arrived and we welcomed them and thanked them for coming. Then, we headed right outside! The students were excited about heading outdoors. On our way out we invited some students to come and play with us. There homeroom teacher is involved with the transition day and they were not up to much.
We divided up teams and got right into playing the ILI version of kickball. However, they could only kick with their left foot. Some of them complained but they all joined in and had a great time. One student in particular was really into the game. This student has a tough life and they were fully engaged with the activity and experiencing joy in one of its truest forms—play. You could see the student’s affect change from one of non-engagement to sheer pleasure as they kicked the ball and headed around the bases. I actually did not know that they student could run as fast as they did. As they rounded first and headed to second they had a smile glued to their face. A real smile coming from real joy! It is hard to describe what we see in students as we work with them, but we know it is powerful and transforming.
An ILI staff member is currently reading a book called Play by Stuart Brown as researcher on play. It is an intriguing book as he describes the developmental benefits of play and how it is important in all stages of life. We all could learn from children and remember to take time out of our day and play just for the sheer joy of it. “Get out there and play “-- mom
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
Junior/Senior Activity Period # 16
5/6/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (Jr.) 10
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr and Alice McFarlane
We had a smaller group of students today. We are getting to the end of the year and we asked the students what they would like to do today. After much discussion the students decided on one of their favorite activities called “Mushroom.” It is a very physical activity and at the end of our time many of us left sweaty. It was fun to see the students working together to keep each other “safe.” During the activity we changed partners and it was good to see the students changing partners so easily. The rewards of connecting with others and being physically active are many. The students come to ILI for many different reasons, but one that was evident today was to connect with others. The students also come to do physical activities, and it was also evident, by the activity they chose, that they came to be physically active while connecting with one another. The smiles and laugher seen and heard during the activity acknowledge the positives of connecting with others and physical activities. These are both important aspects of that we try and involve in all our programming.
Next meeting May 20
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
All Student Activity Period #2
4/29/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
2008-2009
All Student Activity Period #2
4/29/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (F) 7, (S) 11, (Jr.) 3
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr and Ernie St. Germaine
Craig welcomed all of the students and talked to them about the
upcoming opportunity to raise some money for ILI selling concessions
for the LUHS softball game. He gave them the opportunity to
participate with a few different options. Once he knew which
students were willing to do, we headed outside.
The weather was nice and the students enjoyed playing mat ball
outside. The students were active, laughing, and interacting with
one another. We had a short time outside and it was time to head
back inside and to class.
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
Junior/Senior Activity Period # 15
4/15/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (S) 4, (Jr.) 6
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr, Alice McFarlane, Ernie St. Germaine, and Matt White
ILI Alumni: Stephanie St. Germaine
Today we had a smaller group because the seniors had a meeting that they had to attend. We started by welcoming and thanking the students for coming. Craig then talked about the freedoms we have: the freedom to speak or not to. Today at LUHS there are students who are choosing not to speak to bring attention to the issue of the suppression of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender students. We talked to the students about the need to be respectful to those who have made the choice to take a stand, even if they do not agree. Everyone should be treated with respect.
Craig then introduced our guest and handed things over to Ernie. Ernie gave an introduction to his daughter and Stephanie talked to the students about her experiences she has had thus far in the Navy. She went to boot camp in December and has just finished school in Pensacola, FL. She tied for honor grad, the person who scores the highest on the tests they take throughout training. We are very proud of her and look forward to the stories she will share with us from her travels as she ships out of Norfolk soon.
Next meeting April 29.
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
Junior/Senior Activity Period # 14
4/1/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (S) 4, (Jr.) 3, (Sr.) 5
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr, Alice McFarlane, Ernie St. Germaine, and Matt White
As the session began we asked the students to come into a circle and we thanked them for coming. After we welcomed them Craig (played an April fool’s joke on the students and) let the students know that starting 4th quarter we would not be able to meet during homeroom any more. The students were visibly upset and let us know. Craig then let them know he was only April fooling! They all thought it was very funny and a “good one!”
Due to the weather flip flop and how that can play with our hopes of spring, we decided to play today. We enjoyed a great game of mat ball, which is similar to kickball except that you can have more than one person on a base and you do not have to stop at home, you can keep running around the bases. The students really enjoyed the game and the time went by really quickly. It was great to see them make up some of their own rules like what constitutes a homerun!
The importance of play is getting more and more time in the research field. Researchers are not only focusing on play with children, but have expanded their field to explore the benefits to youth, teens, young adults, and adults. I have included a talk from a prominent researcher, Stuart Brown, on the topic. I hope you will take time to watch. http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/stuart_brown_says_play_is_more_than_fun_it_s_vital.html
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
Junior/Senior Activity Period
2/4/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (Jr.) 7, (Sr.) 3
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr, Alice McFarlane, Ernie St. Germaine, and Matt White
There was a smaller group of students today. We welcomed them and let them know we were thankful that they chose to come today. Often as a staff we think we know what the students think is important about ILI, but we wanted to ask them directly. As with the Freshmen and Sophomores last week, we asked the Juniors and Seniors 1) what was important about having ILI at LUHS, and 2) what motivates them to come to activity period.
Here are some of their answers: 1) Intermix the cultures; to make friends; it’s a great way to get to know people and interact with everyone; so no one will feel left out; so the high schoolers can interact with the grade schoolers. 2) Fun! ; Talk with friends; The people; we do different stuff; to bond with people.
It is important for us to get the student’s perspective on why they think the program is important and what keeps them coming. This allows us to continue to develop our program to encourage their growth.
Intercultural Leadership Initiative
2008-2009
Junior/Senior Activity Period #9
1/7/09 9:46-10:04
LUHS
ILI Students: (Jr.) 7, (Sr.) 6
ILI Staff: Craig Kerr, Alice McFarlane, and Matt White
Today was the first session the students had since the winter break. The students were happy to meet and see one another. Craig welcomed the students and asked them if they wanted an energetic activity or an inactive activity. Most of the students said energetic! With that prompt from the students we did an activity with a lot of movement. The students who responded that they wanted a less energetic option we active observers of the activity and enjoyed their role. The students enjoyed the activity and allowed them to use their problem solving skills, to strategize, and cooperate with a partner. There was much movement, smiles, and laughter. This was a great way to get back into the swing of things.
Next meeting Feb. 4 due to Semester Finals on Jan 21